Chapter 48 Thirty Missions
8th Air Force
2nd Air Division,
846th Squadron 489th Bomb Group Halesworth, Squad Cmd , Air Corps Cmd [Cover Girl ] (with 844, 845, 847) 27missions
329th Squadron 93rd Bomb Group Hardwick (H) Certificate, Squad Cmd Maj John Malone, Air Corps Cmd Col William Robertson 3 missions
Thirty Mission Static Map 30 Missions Interactive Geographic Map
1 Longwy Dale Olmsted B-24
Location: 49.515179°, 5.772114°
31May44 Wednesday
31 May Longwy, France 489th BG
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF):
Mission 382:1,029 bombers and 682 fighters attack marshalling yards and aircraft industry targets in Germany and rail targets in France and Belgium; the fighters claim 4-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground; 1bomber and 3 fighters are lost:
1. Of 246 B-17s, 36 hit Luxeuil marshalling yard, France; 30 hit Florennes/ Juzaine Airfield and 4 hit Namur marshalling yard, Belgium; 23 hit Gilze- Rijen Airfield and 12 hit Roosendaal marshalling yard, The Netherlands; and 3 hit targets of opportunity; 45 B-17s are damaged; 1airman is KIA and 4 WIA.
2. 287 B-17s are dispatched to hit marshalling yards in Germany; 88 hit Osnabruck, 54 hit Schwerte, 52 hit Oeske and 50 hit Hamm; 1 B-17 is lost and 58 damaged; 1airman is WIA and 10 MIA.
3. 491 B-24s are dispatched to hit rail targets in France and Belgium but are recalled due to clouds; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 7 damaged.
4. 4 of 5 B-24s hit rail bridges at Beaumont-sur-Oise and bridges at Melun without loss; Azon radio-controlled bombs are unsuccessfully used against the bridges. Escort is provided by 193 P-38s, 180 P-47s and 309 P-51s; P-38s claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground with 1 P-38 being damaged; 1 P-47 is lost (pilot is MIA) and 3 are damaged; P-51s claim 3-0-1 aircraft on the ground with 2 P-51s lost (pilots are MIA). 674 9AF fighters provide support; no claims or losses.
Fighter-bomber mission s against German airfields with 500 lb (227 kg) and 100 lb (45 kg) GP bombs:
1. 78 of 81 P-47s hit Gutersloh Airfield; they claim 5-1-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 is damaged.
2. 35 P-38s attack Rehein/Hopsten Airfield using DROOPSNOOT methods; they claim 5-0-0 aircraft on the ground. 22 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions over France without loss.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): About 200 B-26s bomb lock and highway bridges at Bennecourt, Courcelles-sur-Seine and Rouen, France..
Location: 48.611576°, 2.309875°
2Jun44 Friday
2 June Bretigny/Creil, France 489th BG
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF): The role of the heavy bombers from 2-5 Jun in preparation for the invasion of Normandy on 6 Jun includes continuation of attacks against transportation and airfield targets in N France and the institution of a series of blows against coastal defenses, mainly located in the Pas de Calais coastal area, to deceive the enemy as to the sector to be invaded (Operation COVER).
Mission 384: In the morning, 521 of 633 B-17s and 284 of 293 B-24s hit Vweapon sites in the Pas de Calais area; 11 B-17s are damaged; 1airman is KIA, 1 WIA and 1 MIA.
Mission 385: In the afternoon, 242 B-17s are dispatched to railroad targets in the Paris area; 163 hit the primaries, 49 hit Conches Airfield, 12 hit Beaumont-sur-Oise Airfield and 1 hits Caen/Carpiquet Airfield; 77 B-24s are dispatched to Bretigny Airfield in France; 13 hit the primary target, 47 hit Creil Airfield and 14 hit Villeneuve Airfield; 2 B-17s and 5 B-24s are lost, 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and 90 B-17s and 37 B-24s damaged; 1airman is KIA, 4 WIA and 68 MIA. 3 of 7 P-38s hit the Ostend Bridge, Belgium without loss. 3 B-17s fly weather reconnaissance over the Atlantic. During the evening, 5 B-17s drop leaflets on targets in Belgium and France; and 18 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER operations.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): A special conference for ground liaison officers is held by 21Army Group officers who present a detailed exposition of the plan for the landings in Normandy. In France, about 350 B-26s and A-20s bomb NOBALL (V-weapon) targets and coastal defense batteries along the English Channel coast; P-38s and P-47s dive-bomb targets in the area, including V-weapon sites, fuel dump, railroad junctions and bridges.
Location: 50.525323°, 1.591644°
4Jun44 Sunday
4 June Le Touquet, France 489th BG
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF): Three Mission are flown to France.
Mission 389: the effort is to be divided between the Pas de Calais (COVER) area and the Normandy assault (NEPTUNE) area, however, D-Day is postponed 24 hrs and the NEPTUNE force is cancelled. 183 of 201 B-17s and 51 of 56
B-24s attack 7 targets in the Pas de Calais area; 10 B-17s are damaged; no casualties. Escorting are 130 P-47s and 42 P-51s; 2 P-51s are lost; no casualties. In the second
Mission 390: 222 of 246 B-17s and 53 of 68 B-24s bomb 8 coastal defense positions in the same area using PFF; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 12 B-17s and 6 B-24s are damaged; 1airman is KIA.
Mission 391: consists of 263 B-17s and 185 B-24s hitting airfields, railway junctions and bridges; of the B-17s, 96 hit the Massey/ Palaiseau railroad bridge, 50 hit the Versailles/Metelots railroad bridge and 34 hit the Villeneuve/St George railroad bridge; of the B-24s, 23 hit Brourges Airfield, 72 hit the Romorantin/Prunieres Airfield, 56 hit the Avord Airfield, 55 hit the Bretigny Airfield and 8 hit the Melun bridges; 1 B-17 and 3 B-24s are damaged beyond repair; 34 B-17s and 27 B-24s are damaged; 10 airmen are KIA and 4 WIA. Escort is 135 P-47s and 277 P-51s; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 1 damaged; no casualties. 2 B-17s fly weather reconnaissance over the UK and the Atlantic.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): In France, 300+ B-26s and A-20s bomb highway bridge and coastal batteries; almost 200 P-47s and P-51s divebomb bridges, railroad junction, rolling stock and targets of opportunity.
Location: 50.727002°, 1.619110°
5Jun44 Monday
5 June Boulogne, Wimereux, Ambleteuse, France 48th BG
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF):
Mission 392: 423 of 464 B-17s and 203 of 206 B-24s hit coastal defenses in the Le Havre, Caen, Boulogne and Cherbourg, France areas; 4 B-17s and 2 B-24s are lost, 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 37 B-17s and 39 B-24s are damaged; 1airman is KIA, 10 WIA and 47 MIA. Escorting are 127 P-47s and 245 P-51s; 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are lost and 1 P-47 is damaged beyond repair.
Mission 393: In France, 7 of 8 P-51 fighter-bomber attack a truck convoy near Lille; the 8th P-51bombs Lille/Vendeville Airfield; no losses. In preparation for D-Day, 3 B-17s fly weather reconnaissance over the UK and the Atlantic Ocean. During the night, 11
B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions; 1 B-24 is lost over Belgium.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): In France, 100+ B-26s bomb coastal defense batteries; 100+ P-47s dive-bomb targets in the same area.
Location: 49.120175°, -1.082840°
6Jun44 Tuesday
6 June St Lo, France 489th BG
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF): The 8AF reaches its top strength as the 493BG(H) becomes operational, making a total of 40 heavy bomber groups now operational. Heavy bombers fly 4 missions in support of the Normandy invasion: 1.
Mission 394: At first light, 659 of 882 B-17s and 418 of 543 B-24s hit coastal targets in the area of the invasion beaches between Le Havre and Cherbourg; overcast and inability of the bombers to locate (or absence of): PFF leaders causes failure of some units to attack; 1 B-24 is lost, 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 14 B-17s and 1 B-24 are damaged; 12 airmen are KIA, 2 WIA and 13 MIA. 2.
Mission 394: The second Mission strikes at transportation chokepoints in towns immediately around the assault area; total cloud cover causes 84 B-17s and 259 B-24s dispatched to return with their bombs but 37 B-24s manage to bomb secondary target of Argentan; 2 B-24s are lost and 1 B-17 is damaged; no casualties. 3.
Mission 395: The third mission is dispatched against the important communications center of Caen; 58 of 73 B-24s bomb through overcast skies without loss. 4.
Mission 395: Transportation chokepoints in towns immediately S and E of the assault area are the objectives of the fourth mission; 325 of 409 B-17s and 125 of 300 B-24s hit targets including Vire, Saint-Lo, Coutances, Falaise, Lisieux, Thury-Harcourt, Pont-l'Eveque, Argentan, and Conde-sur- Noireau; 1 B-24 is lost, 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 11 B-24s and 5 B-17s are damaged; 10 airmen are KIA. In all, 1,729 bombers drop 3,596 tons of bombs during D-Day. The VIII Fighter Command has the threefold Mission of escorting bombers, attacking any movement toward the assault area, and protecting Allied shipping. The fighters fly 1,880 sorties including fighter-bomber attacks against 17 bridges, 10 marshalling yards, and a variety of other targets including convoy, railroad cars, siding, rail and highway junctions, tunnel, and a dam. Very little air opposition is encountered. The fighters claim 26-0-8 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 4-0-9 on the ground. Also destroyed are 21locomotives and 2 carloads of ammunition. Numerous targets are damaged including locomotives, trucks, tank cars, armored vehicles, goods carriers, barges, and tugboats. Targets attacked with unreported results include warehouses, radar towers, barracks, troops, artillery, staff cars, 85 trains, and a variety of other targets. 25 fighters are lost.
Mission 396: During the night, 12 B-17s drop leaflets in France and the Low Countries.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): 800+ A-20s and B-26s bomb coastal defense batteries, rail and road junctions and bridges, and marshalling yards in support of the invasion; 2,000+ fighters fly sweeps, escort for B-26s and C-47s, ground support, and dive-bombing missions over W France. During the preceding night and during the day over 1,400 C-47s, C-53's, and gliders deliver glider troops and paratroops, including 3 full airborne divisions, which are to secure beach exits to facilitate inland movement of seaborne assault troops. A total of about 30 aircraft are lost.
Location: 49.049570°, 0.815563°
10Jun44 Saturday
10 June Conches, France 489th BG
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF):
Mission 403: Bad weather restricts operations to NW France; 883 bombers and 1,491 fighter sorties are flown but 200+ bombers abort due to cloud conditions; 1bomber and 24 fighters are lost.
1. 507 B-17s are dispatched to Equihen (24 bomb), Hardelot (23 bomb), St Gabriel (26 bomb), Gael Airfield (36 bomb), Nantes/Bouguenais Airfield (55 bomb), Vannes Airfield (59 bomb), Berck (26 bomb), Merlimont Plage (39 bomb), and Toucquet-Paris-Plage (10 bomb); 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 36 damaged; 6 airmen are KIA and 4 WIA.
2. 257 B-24s are dispatched to Wimereau (23 bomb), Boulogne (34 bomb), Dreux Airfield (26 bomb), Evreux/Fauville Airfield (65 bomb) and Boulogne (13 bomb); 39 others hit Conches Airfield; 1 B-24 is lost, 2 are damaged beyond repair and 28 damaged; 10 airmen are MIA.
3. 119 B-24s are dispatched to Chateaudun Airfield (45 bomb) and Orleans/ Bricy Airfield (66 bomb) without loss. VIII Fighter Command missions during the day are: 1. 405 P-38s fly sweep and escort; they claim 5-2-1 Luftwaffe aircraft. 2. 3 P-47s and 364 P-51s provided escort for the bombers above; they claim 0-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground; 7 fighters are lost. 3. 506 P-47s and 213 P-51s fly fighter-bomber mission s against communications targets in the beachhead area; they claim 8-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 1-0-1on the ground; 15 P-47s and 2 P-51are lost; 3 P-47s and a P-51are damaged beyond repair. During the day, 1 fighter pilot is KIA and 24 are MIA.
Mission 404: During the evening, 11 B-17s drop leaflets on Norway and France without loss.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): In France, 500+ B-26s and A-20s bomb targets in the assault area including military concentrations, road and rail bridges and junctions, artillery batteries, marshalling yards and town areas; aircraft of 15+ FGs fly escort to bombers and transports, and bomb numerous targets in support of the ground assault, including rail facilities, roads, troop concentrations, artillery, and town areas; HQ IX Tactical Air Command moves from Uxbridge, England to Au Gay.
Location: 49.261531°, 2.479992°
11Jun44 Sunday
11 June Blois, France 11 June Creil, France 489th BG
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF):
Mission 405: Weather prevents operations against priority targets in Germany so the bombers attack targets in France; 1,055 bombers and 914 fighter sorties are flown; over 400 bombers abort or fail to bomb due to clouds and absence or malfunction of Pathfinders; 3 bombers and 8 fighters are lost:
1. 471 B-17s are dispatched to airfields at Beaumont-le-Roger (38 bomb), Bernay/St Martin (50 bomb) and Dinard/Pluertuit (37 bomb), and Toucquet-Paris- Plage (27 bomb), Merlimont Plage (34 bomb), Pontaubault Bridge (50 bomb) and Berck (36 bomb); 33 others hit Conches Airfield and 4 hit targets of opportunity; 2 B-17s are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 11 damaged; 20 airmen are MIA.
2. 584 B-24s are dispatched to airfields at Cormeilles-en-Vexin (34 bomb), Beauvais/Nivelliers (27 bomb), Beaumont-sur-Oise (36 bomb) and Creil (19 bomb) and Vicomte-sur-Rance (19 bomb), Montford Bridge (18 bomb) and Blois/St Denis (41bomb); 12 others hit Beauvais/Tille Airfield, 7 hit Poix Airfield, 32 hit Montauban marshalling yard and 52 hit targets of opportunity; 1 B-24 is lost and 14 damaged; 1airman is KIA, 3 WIA and 4 MIA. 87 P-47s and 144 P-51s provide escort for the bombers without loss.
Other fighter missions are: 1. 143 P-38s patrol the beachhead and claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft without loss. 2. 77 P-38s, 195 P-47s and 268 P-51s fly fighter-bomber mission s against communications targets in NW France; the P-38s claim 3-2-5 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 0-0-1on the ground; 3 P-38s, 1 P-47 and 4 P-51s are lost; 7 of the 8 pilots are MIA.
Mission 406: During the night, 5 B-17s drop leaflets on France and the Low Countries without loss.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): In France, 129 B-26s and A-20s bomb rail and road bridges and intersections, rail lines, oil tanks, artillery and town areas, in morning operations; bad weather prevents afternoon operations; 10 FGs fly escort and strafe and bomb bridges, railroads, gun emplacements, rail and road traffic and marshalling yards in support of ground troops.
Location: 49.590239°, 2.327728°
12Jun44 Monday
12 June St Andre de L’Eure, France 12 June Ploermel, France 489th BG
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF):
Mission 407:Wth bad weather over top priority targets in Germany, 1,442 bombers are dispatched against airfields and landing grounds in NE France and rail and road bridges on the Brest Peninsula; 691 of 769 B-17s and 586 of 673 B-24s hit 16 airfields and 6 railroad bridges in the Rennes and St Nazaire area; they claim 1-1-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 6 B-17s and 2 B-24s are lost; 1 B-17 and 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair; and 188 B-17s and 52 B-24s are damaged; 7 airmen are KIA, 14 WIA and 58 MIA.
988 fighter sorties are flown with the loss of 16 aircraft; 15 pilots are MIA: 1. 234 P-38s, 80 P-47s and 201 P-51 s fly escort, sweeps and patrols over the Channel NW of Paris and in the Rennes area; they claim 20-0-8 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 1-0-0 on the ground; 3 P-38s, 1 P-47 and 3 P-51s are lost; 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair. 2. 93 P-38s and 183 P-47s fly fighter-bomber mission s against 5 railroad bridges in the Tours-Paris area; they claim 5-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 1-0-0 on the ground; 1 P-38 and 8 P-47s are lost; 1each is damaged beyond repair. 3. 45 P-38s and 152 P-51s fly escort for 9AF A-20s and B-26s.
Mission 408: 7 of 7 B-17s drop leaflets on France and Belgium during the night without loss. 16 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): In France, 509 B-26s and A-20s bomb marshalling yards, road and rail junctions, bridges, artillery, town areas, troop concentrations and various targets of opportunity; aircraft of 15+ FGs fly close and area support for bombers and bomb and strafe rail lines, gun batteries, bridges, fortifications, radar installation, tanks, ammunition dumps, town areas and strongpoints in the battle area. In England, HQ 366FG begins a movement from Thruxton to France; HQ 442TCG and 303and 304TCSs move from Fulbeck to Weston Zoyland with C-47s; and 425NPS, IX Air Defense Command, moves from Chormy Down to Scorton with P-61s.
Location: 47.624678°, -2.079678°
13Jun44 Tuesday
13 June Ploermel, France 13 June Redon, France 489th BG
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF): Bad weather cancels large-scale bombing of high priority targets in Germany; overcast bombing against tactical targets in NW France is undertaken:
Mission 409: In the first Mission of the day cloud cover is less than anticipated and visual runs are made by 129 of 139 B-17s against Evreux/ Fauville Airfield (37 bomb), Dreux Airfield (52 bomb) and St Andre de L'Eure (40 bomb); 30 B-17s are damaged; escort is provided by 101 of 113 P-51s dispatched; they claim 4-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft.
Mission 410: In the second mission, 112 B-17s and 260 B-24s are dispatched:
1. B-17s to Beaumont-sur-Oise Airfield (41bomb) and Beauvais/Nivelliers Airfield (56 bomb); 15 B-17s are damaged.
2. 148 B-24s to Dinard/Pleurtuit Airfield (10 bomb), Ploermel Bridge (26 bomb), Vannes Bride (19 bomb), Vicomte-sur-Rance Bridge (24 bomb), Montfortsur- Meu Bridge (21bomb), Porcaro Bridge (12 bomb) and 3 others hit targets of opportunity; 2 B-24s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 16 damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 19 MIA.
Mission 410: Escort is provided by 12 P-38s, 47 P-47s and 174 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost and the pilot is MIA. Other fighter sorties during the day are: 1. 97 P-38s are dispatched on fighter-bomber mission s (58 bomb) and 17 hit La Poissonniere Montjean; 2 P-38s are lost and the pilots are MIA. 2. 199 P-47s are dispatched to La Port Boulet (90 attack), Montlouis (24 attack), transport targets (33 attack) and Chinon (31attack); they claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 is lost and 1 damaged beyond repair; 2 pilots are MIA. 3. 35 P-51s fly escort for fighter bombers. 4. 12 P-38s and 35 P-47s escort 9AF bombers. 5. 62 of 64 P-38s fly patrol over the English Channel.
Mission 411: 8 of 8 B-17s drop leaflets on France during the night. 6 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions over France.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): In France, 397 B-26s and A-20s bomb rail and road junctions, marshalling yards and fuel dumps in the assault areas; aircraft of 9 FGs escort the bombers and attack bridges, marshalling yards, troop areas, rail and road traffic, gun emplacements, ammunition dumps and other targets. 305th and 306TCSs, 442TCG, move from Fulbeck to Weston Zoyland, England with C-47s.
Location: 49.027739°, 1.159058°
15Jun44 Thursday
15 June St Cyr, France 489th BG
ETO - THEATER OF OPERATIONS - ICELAND (Iceland Base Command): HQ 24th Composite Wing is disbanded.
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF):
Mission 414: 1,361bombers are dispatched in 8 forces to bomb an oil refinery Germany and numerous tactical targets in France, including 9 airfields, an aircraft plant, a CROSSBOW (Vweapon): sites, 11bridges, a marshalling yard, and various scattered targets; 2 B-17s are lost:
1. Of 747 B-17s dispatched, 172 hit the Hannover/Misburg oil refinery, 16 hit Wilster, 16 hit Wesermunde, 2 hit the Hannover area and 1 hits Helgoland Island, Germany; in France, 144 hit Bordeaux/Merignac Airfield, 71 hit Nantes railroad bridge N, 71 hit La Poissonniere rail viaduct, 70 hit Angouleme marshalling yard, 59 hit Beauvoir V-weapon site, 46 hit Nantes railroad bridge S, 12 hit Gael Airfield and 10 hit a viaduct N of Nantes; 2 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 267 damaged; 7 airmen are WIA and 18 MIA.
2. Of 614 B-24s dispatched to France, 89 hit Le Port Boulet railroad bridge, 61 hit Evreux/Fauville Airfield, 59 hit Tours-la-Frillerie, 54 hit Tours-La Rice railroad bridge, 46 hit Guyancourt Airfield, 45 hit Etampes/Modesir Airfield, 44 hit Cinq Mars bridge, 27 hit St Cyr, 21 hit Buc Airfield, 12 hit Tours-La Riche highway bridge, 12 hit Le Mans Airfield, 12 hit Orleans/Saran Airfield and 8 hit targets of opportunity; 12 B-24s use Azon missiles against Etaples railroad bridge and 7 others use the missiles against the Pecrone railroad bridge. Fighter operations are: 1. 96 P-38s, 202 P-47s and 211 P-51 s escort the bombers and claim 5-0-5 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 P-38s and 1 P-51 are lost with the pilots MIA. 2. 36 of 48 P-47s bomb Etaples, France; 1 P-47s is lost (pilot is MIA). 3. 177 of 185 P-38s fly a fighter sweep in front of the bomber forces without loss.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): 550+ B-26s and A-20s direct main attacks against fuel and ammunition dumps, rail and highway communications, and armored division HQ S of the bridgehead on the Douve River; 1,400+ fighters fly armed reconnaissance in the Valognes-Cherbourg area, the W part of the Cherbourg Peninsula, and along communications lines S to Loire; fighters also attack shipping between the Channel Islands and the Cherbourg Peninsula.
Location: 47.471735°, -0.543137°
17Jun44 Saturday
17 June Angers, France 489th BG
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF): Targets in France, primarily airfields, are hit; 2 B-17s are lost; fighters fly 1,027 sorties during the day and destroy 15 locomotives, train cars, trucks and other vehicles.
Mission 418: 232 of 332 bombers attack targets in France:
1. Of 174 B-17s, 52 hit Monchy-Breton Airfield, 31 hit a railroad bridge at Noyen, 18 hit Chateaudun Airfield and 18 hit Villiers/L'Eveque Airfield; 2 B-17s are lost and 22 damaged; 22 airmen are MIA; escort is provided by 43 P-38s, 39 P-47s and 90 P-51s; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot is MIA). 2. Of 158 B-24s, 28 hit Laval Airfield, 26 hit Guyancourt/Caudron Airfield, 18 hit Le Mans/Arnage Airfield, 17 hit Bretigny Airfield, 12 hit Brunnelles, 9 hit Melun Airfield, 1 hits Dreux, 1 hits St Valery and 1 hits a target of opportunity; escort is provided by 87 P-47s and 170 P-51s; they claim 2-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 3-0-0 on the ground; no losses or casualties. 99 P-38s fly fighter-bomber mission s against railroad bridges at Corbie and Peronne; 4 P-38s are lost (pilots are MIA).
Mission 419: Of 312 B-24s dispatched, 80 hit Angers Airfield, 75 hit Laval Airfield, 55 hit Tours Airfield, 38 hit Essay airstrip, 25 hit Lonray airstrip and 1 hits LeMans; 1 B-24 is lost and 35 damaged; 10 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 122 P-47s and 148 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot is MIA). 49 P-38s and 39 P-47s, escorted by 47 P-38s, make fighter-bomber attacks on Corbie-Peronne railroad bridges; 2 P-38s are lost (pilots are MIA).
Mission 420: 9 of 10 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): Operational control of air-ground coordination of fighter-bomber mission s moves from HQ 9AF and 21 Army Group Combined Control Center (in the UK) to Advanced HQ IX Tactical Air Command (in Normandy) operating in close proximity to the US First Army. In France, 265 B-26s attack fuel dumps, a bridge and a railway line S of the battle area; 1,300+ fighters fly escort and top cover, and strafe and bomb troop concentrations, military vehicles, bridges, gun emplacements, tanks and other tactical targets; units moving to France from England with P-47s: HQ 354FG and 353and 356FSs from Lashenden to Criqueville; HQ 366FG and 389FS and 391FS from Thruxton to St Pierre du Mont; HQ 371FG and 405FS and 406FSs from Bisterne to Beuzeville.
Location: 48.847660°, -1.275616°
22Jun 44 Thursday
22 June Fiefs, Fleury, France 22 June St Cyr, France 489th BG
V1 Buzz Bombs had been first unleashed against London a week prior
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF): Because of the attack on B-17s at Poltava, USSR, on yesterday's shuttle mission, the B-17s at Mirgorod and P-51s at Piryatin are moved farther E; they are to be returned to Mirgorod and Piryatin to be dispatched to bases in Italy as soon as the weather permits; the move is fortunate as German bombers strike both Piryatin and Mirgorod during the night of 22/23 Jun.
Mission 431: In a morning Mission 85 of 108 B-17s and 132 of 194 B-24s attack 12 CROSSBOW (V-weapon) installations in the Pas de Calais area; 1 B-17s is lost; 64 B-17s and 59 B-24s are damaged; 10 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 165 P-47s and 97 P-51s; some of the support fighters strafe coastal defenses; 1 P-51 is lost and 2 P-47s are damaged beyond repair; 1 pilot is KIA and 1 MIA.
Mission 432: During the afternoon 797 bombers are dispatched to attack 22 targets in France and Belgium; 9 bombers are lost:
1. Of 319 B-17s dispatched, 76 hit Lille/Fimes marshalling yard, 69 hit Ghent/Maritime marshalling yard, 35 hit Rouen oil depot, 13 hit La Vaubaliers, 13 hit Furnes Airfield, 13 hit Tingry, 12 hit Abbeville, 12 hit a tank area N of Rouen, 12 hit Douai railroad, 11 hit Mazingarbe, 10 hit Pont a Vendin, 1 hits Douai railroad; 3 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 81 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA, 5 WIA and 29 MIA. Escort is provided by 108 P-47s; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft.
2. Of 149
B-24s, 46 hit Guyancourt/Caudron Airfield, 43 hit St Cyr Airfield, 36 hit Buc Airfield, 13 hit targets of opportunity and 5 hit Tours/La Riche bridge; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 67 B-24s are damaged; 1airmen is KIA and 3 MIA. Escort is provided by 187 of 200 P-38s and 36 of 46 P-47s; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 P-38s are lost (pilots are MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair.
3. Of 216 B-17s, 70 hit Nucourt V-weapon site, 38 hit Brie-Comte-Robert Sug, 33 hit Etampes Airfield, 11 hit Lieusant railroad, 11 hit Melun bridge and 11 hit Melun marshalling yard; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 187 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA and 30 MIA. Of 113 B-24s, 101 hit an oil dump at Paris and 1 hits Dreux Airfield; 2 B-24s are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 37 damaged; 1airman is KIA, 2 WIA and 23 MIA. Escort is provided by 78 of 86 P-51s; 3 P-51s are lost (pilots are MIA). 4. 9 of 10 B-24s use Azon glide bombs against the Samur Bridge; escort is provided by 41 of 43 P-51s.
Mission 433: 1 B-17 flies a daylight leaflet
Mission to La Glacrie, France.
Mission 434: 9 of 9 B-17s drop leaflets in France and the Low Countries during the night. 10 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions in France during the night.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): In France, around 600 B-26s and A-20s and 1,200+ fighters fly missions during the day; the main effort consists of an attack on the tip of the Cherbourg Peninsula in support of the US VII Corps assault on the port of Cherbourg; beginning 1hour before the ground attack and continuing until the attack begins fighters and fighterbombers pound the whole area S of the city from low level; as the ground assault begins, B-26s and A-20s strike a series of strongpoints selected by the US First Army, forming a 55-minute aerial barrage moving N in advance of ground forces; later in the day B-26s attack marshalling yards, fuel dumps and a German HQ; fighter-bombers fly armed reconnaissance over various railroads and bomb rail facilities, trains, road traffic and gun emplacements; 25 fighter-bombers are lost during the day's operations.
Location: 50.447448°, 2.053413°
24Jun44 Saturday
24 June Buc, France 24 June Fressin, France 24 June Fression, Tingry, France 489th BG
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF):
Mission 438: During the morning 967 bombers are dispatched to hit targets in Germany and France: 5 bombers are lost:
1. Of 340 B-17s, 213 hit oil industry targets in Bremen, 53 hit an aircraft factory at Westermunde and 40 attack Bremen; 1 B-17 is lost and 105 damaged; 2 airmen are WIA and 9 MIA. Escort is provided by 6 FGs (185 P-38s and 85 P-47s); 1group strafes an airfield and rail transport in the Munster and Hamm areas and claims 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground; no losses.
2. 407 B-24s are dispatched to France; 78 hit Conches Airfield, 45 hit Chateaudun Airfield, 45 hit Orleans/Bricy Airfield, 34 hit Toussus/Le Noble, 31 hit a fighter strip, 12 hit Pont Audmer, 11 hit Toussus/Paris and 9 hit Dreux Airfield; 2 B-24s are lost and 81 damaged; 20 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 45 P-38s and 36 P-47s; 1 P-38 is lost (pilot is MIA); the fighters later fly strafing missions.
3. 86 B-17s and 60 B-24s are dispatched to hit 12 CROSSBOW (V-weapon) sites in the Pas de Calais area but are prevented by overcast from bombing the sites, but 11 B-17s fly S and release bombs near the industrial area of Rouen; 1 B-17 is lost to AA fire; 13 B-17s and 1 B-24 are damaged; 9 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 35 of 36 P-47s without loss. 4. Of 74 B-17s dispatched to the Saumur bridge, 38 hit the primary and 36 hit Tours/La Riche Airfield without loss; escort is provided by 121 of 135 P-51s who claim 4-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground.
Location: 50.620826°, 1.734467°
24Jun44 Saturday
24 June Buc, France 24 June Fressin, France 24 June Fression, Tingry, France 489th BG
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF):
Mission 439: During the afternoon 62 B-17s and 167 B-24s are dispatched to targets in France; 2 B-24s are lost; escort for the mission is provided by 71 P-47s and 50 P-51s without loss; 25 other P-51s fly a sweep of the Angers/Le Mans area and claim 25-0-6 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground:
1. Of 62 B-17s, 32 hit V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area, 12 hit Holque electrical stations and 12 hit Saint-Pol-sur-Mer marshalling yards; 17 B-17s are damaged.
2. Of 167 B-24s, 67 hit V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area, 14 hit the Abbeville power station, 12 hit Pont-a-Vendin and 12 hit the Tingry electrical station; 2 B-24s are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 44 damaged; 20 airmen are MIA.
Mission 440: 5 of 5 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): 430+ B-26s and A-20s attack targets in France, including 4 gun positions, 3 V-weapon sites, 3 fuel dumps, 2 marshalling yards, and a railroad bridge; 200+ transports fly supplies to the Continent; 11FGs provide escort, attack fuel dumps, rail targets and bridges W of Paris and S of the Loire, and fly armed reconnaissance S of the Cherbourg Peninsula and SW of Paris; and 313FS, 50th FG, moves from Lymington, England to Carentan with P-47s.
Location: 48.785944°, 2.196751°
25Jun44 Sunday
25 June Villacoublay, France 489th BG
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF):
Mission 441: During the morning 658 bombers are dispatched to hit targets in France; 7 bombers are lost:
1. Of 263 B-17s, 104 hit Toulouse/Francazal Airfield, 72 hit Toulouse/Blangnac Airfield and 64 hit Montbartier oil depot; 5 B-17s are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 114 damaged; 10 airmen are KIA, 5 WIA and 45 MIA. Escort is provided by 46 P-38s, 36 P-47s and 146 P-51s; they claim 10-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot is MIA).
2. Of 258
B-24s, 43 hit targets of opportunity, 23 hit Beuvry, 18 hit Mazingarbe, 12 hit Aube-sur-Risle, 12 hit Doullens, 12 hit La Vaupalier, 12 hit Peronne Airfield, 11 hit Amiens/St Maurice, 11 hit Calais, 11 hit Tingry, 10 hit Abbeville, 10 hit St Omer/Longuenesse, 8 hit Boulogne, 8 hit Holque, 7 hit Nunque, 7 hit Pont-a-Vendin, 2 hit Chocques; 1 B-24 is lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 26 damaged; 1airman is KIA and 2 WIA. Escort is provided by 68 P-47s and 34 P-51s without loss. 3. Of 137 B-24s, 59 hit St Avord Airfield and 48 hit Bourge Airfield; 1 B-24 is lost; 10 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 102 P-38s and 44 P-47s; they claim 8-0-4 Luftwaffe aircraft without loss.
Mission 442: During the midday 463 bombers are dispatched to targets in France; 6 bombers are lost; escort is provided by 127 P-38s, 35 P-47s and 181 P-51s; they claim 4-0-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot is MIA):
1. Of 274 B-24s, 63 hit Villacoublay air depot, 35 hit Bretigny Airfield and 11 hit Buc Airfield; 5 B-24s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 104 damaged; 11airmen are KIA, 7 WIA and 59 MIA.
2. Of 189 B-17s, 70 hit Soigny Bridge, 38 hit Sens Bridge, 28 hit Clamecy, 21 hit Auxerre Bridge, 21 hit Nanteuil, 20 hit Nogent, 18 hit Orly Airfield, 13 hit Romilly-sur-Seine, 12 hit Folous, 12 hit Etampes/Mondesir Airfield and 3 hit Orly marshalling yard; 1 B-17 is lost and 20 damaged; 2 airmen are WIA and 19 MIA. 41 of 43 P-47s fly a flight-bomber mission against Evreux/Fauville landing ground. In the USSR, B-17s and P-51s are flown, at daybreak, from dispersal bases to Poltava and Mirgorod and loaded and fueled with intentions of bombing the oil refinery at Drohobycz, Poland and proceed to base in Italy. Bad weather cancels the mission until the tomorrow. The aircraft return to dispersal bases for the night as precaution against air attacks. 24 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER mission.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): In France, 400+ B-26s and A-20s hit fuel dumps at Foret d'Andaine, Foret d'Ecouves, and Senonches, and rail bridges at Cherisy, Chartres, Oiseme and Epernon; 14 FGs send aircraft on escort, and on armed reconnaissance and dive bombing missions over the Chartres, Dreux, Argentan, Tours, and Orleans areas; transports fly supply and evacuation missions;and HQ 50FG and 10th and 81 FSs move from Lymington, England to Carentanwith P-47s.
Location: 49.037868°, 2.493896°
2Aug44 16 Pas de Calais targets
Location: 50.649460°, 2.416992°
2Aug44 16 Comptese=Avesnes-Chaussoy
Location: 49.903923°, 1.879177°
2Aug44 Wednesday
2 Aug Avesnes-Chaussoy, Bois de Queue Comtesse, Bois St Pierre, France 489th BG
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF): Two missions are flown today.
Mission 510: 319 bombers and 158 fighters are dispatched to attack
oil and supply dumps and bridges in the Paris area (number in parenthesis indicates number of bombers attacking); 2 bombers and 2 fighters are lost:
1. Targets for 156 B-17s are Paris/Gennevilliers (51), Paris/Dugny (38), Mery-sur-Oise (37), Bernay marshalling yard (12), Courtalain rail junction (7) and targets of opportunity (4); 2 B-17s are lost and 47 damaged; 1airman is KIA, 2 WIA and 18 MIA.
2. Targets for 163 B-24s are bridges at Neuvy-sur-Loire (36), Nogent-sur- Seine (31), Mantereau (28); 26 hit Sens oil depot; airfields at St Dizier (12) and Creton (3); and Pacy-sur-Armancon (10); 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 23 damaged; 2 airmen are WIA. The two forces above are escorted by 132 of 158 P-51s; 2 P-51s are lost and 1 damaged; 1 pilot is KIA and 2 MIA.
Mission 511: 517 bombers and 249 fighters are dispatched to attack CROSSBOW (V-weapon) sites and bridges in France; 3 bombers and 5 fighters are lost:
1. Of 195 B-17s, 77 hit V-weapon sites, and rail bridges at Jussy (31), Aulnoye (21), Beautor (21) and Crocal de St Quentin (11); 3 B-17s are lost and 45 damaged; 3 airmen are KIA, 1 WIA and 28 MIA.
2. Of 322 B-24s, 182 hit V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area, 22 hit Thennes Bridge, 12 hit Peronne Rail Bridge, 11 hit Achiet Airfield and 8 hit targets of opportunity; 5 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and 78 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA.
Escort for the 2 forces above is provided by 236 of 249 P-51s; 5 are lost and 1 is damaged beyond repair; 5 pilots are MIA. 49 P-38s, 183 P-47s and 51 P-51 s fly fighter-bomber mission s against rail and road transport in the Paris-Amiens-Brussels-St Quentin area; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are lost, 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair and 6 P-47s and 2 P-51s are damaged; 2 pilots are MIA. 42 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): In France, the IX BC halts bombing of bridges, fuel dumps, and similar targets in Brittany except on the request of the 12th Army Group, as the US Third Army wants the use of bridges access to all fuel they may find in their advance across France; around 300 A-20s and B-26s attack bridges at Mezieres-sur-Seine, Mainvillers, Cinq Mars-la-Pile, Nantes, and Lisle, and ammunition dumps at Caudebec-les- Elbeuf and Le Lude; fighters fly armed reconnaissance in wide areas surrounding Paris and the SW as far as Laval, escort IX BC aircraft, and provide cover for armored columns and close support for ground forces; HQ IX Tactical Air Command moves from Les Obeaux to Canisy; HQ 84FW moves from Houesville to Criqueville; HQ 303FW moves from La Combe to Houesville; and the 14th Liaison Squadron, XIX Tactical Air Command (attached to Third Army) moves from Nehou to Le Bepas with L-5s.
-----------------------
3 Aug Avesnes Chaussoy, Belloy sur Somme, Bois St Pierre, France
6 Aug44 Cover Girl lost over Hamburg
-------------------------------
Location: 48.811838°, 3.087673°
11Aug44 Friday
10 Aug Joigny la Roche, Coullanges sur Yvonne, France 11 Aug Saarburcken, Germany 489th BG
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF): Three missions are flown today (numbers in parenthesis indicate number of bombers attacking the target).
Mission 541: 660 bombers and 300+ fighters are dispatched to attack 13 marshalling yards, fuel dumps, airfields, and targets of opportunity, in NE France and the Paris area; 4 bombers are lost:
1. 157 B-17s are dispatched to attack Belfort (76) and Mulhouse (76): marshalling yards and 1 B-17 hit a target of opportunity; 16 B-17s are damaged.
2. Of 141 B-24s, 47 hit Coulommiers (buzz bomb launch) Airfield, 36 hit Pacy-sur-Armancon and 34 hit St Florentin; 5 B-24s are damaged. 3. 76 of 77 B-17s hit Villacoublay aircraft depot; 1 B-17 is lost and 17 damaged; 1airman is WIA and 9 MIA. 4. 45 of 65 B-24s dispatched hit Toussus le Noble Airfield; 9 others hit Orleans/Saran Airfield; 1 B-24 is damaged. 5. Of 220 B-24s, 66 hit Strasbourg fuel dump; marshalling yards at Strasbourg (65) and Saarbrucken (60); Nivelles Airfield (10) and 1 hits a target of opportunity; 3 B-24s are lost and 112 damaged; 7 airman are KIA, 7 WIA and 19 MIA.
Mission 542: 275 of 294 B-17s attack 23 arsenal areas, barracks, concrete emplacements and heavy artillery posts in and around Brest, France; 1 B-17 is lost and 37 damaged.
Mission 541 and 542 are escorted by 356 P-38s and P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost and 1 damaged beyond repair; 1 pilot is WIA and 1 MIA.
Mission 543: 1 of 2 B-17s flies a Micro H test against La Chenaie rail bridge. Escort is provided by 7 of 8 P-47s.
Mission 544: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in Franc during the night. 165 of 180 P-47s fly a fighter sweep of the Paris area; they claim 3-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 2-0-0 on the ground. 28 of 31 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions in France.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): In France, A-20s and B-26s attack bridges at Montrichard, Oissel, Fismes, and Creil/Saint-Maximin, gun defenses at Ile de Cezembre and Saint-Malo, and an ammunition dump at Foret de Roumare; fighters cover the assault area, escort IX BC aircraft, and fly armed reconnaissance in the battle area and extensively over N France; HQ 10PRG and the 12th Tactical RS and 34(Photo)RS move from Chalgrove, England, Le Molay and Chalgrove respectively, to Rennes with F-6s and F-5s; the 153Liaison Squadron, IX Tactical Air Command (attached to First Army), moves from Canisy to St Pois with L-5s; and the 353Fighter Squadron, 354FG, moves from Cricqueville to Gael with P-51s.
Location: 50.960157°, 1.864929°
30Aug44 Wednesday
489th BG no runs
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF): Three missions are flown.
Mission 590: 107 of 159 B-17s and 108 of 145 B-24s dispatched hit 8 V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area of France; one wing uses GH and H2X methods; 22 bombers are damaged. Escort is provided by 16 of 16 P-51s without loss.
Mission 591: Later in the day, 637 B-17s are dispatched to bomb the U-boat base and shipyards at Kiel (282), and aircraft plant and other industry in the Bremen area (327); 4 others hit targets of opportunity; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 136 damaged. Escort is provided by 258 of 294 P-51s without loss.
Mission 592: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France and Belgium during the night.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): In France, about 75 A-20s and B-26s bomb a fuel dump near Arques-la-Bataille, Rouxmesnil-Bouteilles, and gun positions around Ile de Cezembre; weather grounds the fighters; HQ 84FW moves from Criqueville to Aillieres; HQ 100FW moves from Rennes to Le Mans; the 14th Liaison Squadron, XIX Tactical Air Command (attached to Third Army), moves from Courcy to St Maurice-aux-Riches-Hommes with L-5s; the 33(Photo)RS, 67th Tactical RG, moves from Le Molay to Toussus le Noble with F-5s; the 313FS, 50FG, moves from Meautis to Orly with P-47s; and the 596BS(M), moves from Hurn, England to Gorges with B-26s. The 82TCS, 436th Troop Carrier Group, that has been operating from Voltone Airfield, Italy, returns to base at Membury, England with C-47s.
Location: 48.809125°, 8.336563°
3Oct44 Tuesday
3 Oct Lachen-Speyerdorf, Germany 489th BG
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF): 2 missions are flown:
Mission 662: 1,065 bombers and 753 fighters make PFF and visual attacks against airfields and industrial targets in Germany; 3 bombers and 4 fighters are lost:
1. 380 B-17s are dispatched to hit Giebelstadt Airfield (49); targets of opportunity are Nurnberg (256), Ludwigshafen (13), Ulm (11) and others (24); 130 B-17s are damaged; 2 airmen are WIA. Escort is provided by 260 P-47s and P-51s; they claim 2-0-0 aircraft on the ground; 4 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA0 and 1 is damaged beyond repair.
2. 228 B-17s are dispatched to hit motor vehicle facotry at Nurnberg (198); 10 others hit Ottingen Airfield; 3 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 63 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA, 4 WIA and 28 MIA. Escort is proivded by 227 P-47s and P-51s; 1 P-51 is damaged beyond repair.
3. 119 B-17s are dispatched to hit the oil refinery at Wesseling (87); targets of opportunity are Cogogne (26) and 1other; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 51 damaged. Escort5 is provided by 24 of 24 P-47s.
4. 338 B-24s are dispatched to hit Gaggenau (Daimler Benz) (139) and Lachen/Speyerdorf (111) visually; secondary targets hit are Offenburg marshalling yard (19) and Pforzheim Airfield (19); targets of opportunity are Speyer Airfield (30) and Lachen (2); 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 38 damaged; 2 airmen are WIA. Escort is provided by 188 P-38s and P-47s.
Mission 663: 6 B-24s and 4 B-17s drop leaflets in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium during the night.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): 220+ B-26s and A-20s sent to bomb targets at Durena and Aldenhoven, Germany, and Arnhem, the Netherlands are recalled because of weather; fighters fly armed reconnaissance over W Germany, hit railroads W of the Rhine River, and support the US Third Army in the Metz, France area. The IX Air Defense Command continues night patrols. In Belgium, HQ 70FW moves from Marchais, France to Liege; HQ 303d FW moves from Vermand, France to Arlon. In France, HQ 98th Combat BW(M) moves from Chartres to Laon/Athies; the 23Fighter Squadron, 36FG, moves from Athis to Juvincourt with P-47s; and the 405FS, 371FG, moves from Perthes to Dole/Tavaux with P-47s.
Location: 51.673833°, 8.349609°
5Oct44 Thursday
5 Oct Rheine, Germany 489th BG
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF): General Order 507 implements the decision of 15 Sep to assign staff officers of HQ VIII Fighter Command to HQ 8AF to represent units in administrative functions, thus eliminating the administrative and operational control from HQ VIII Fighter Command and placing it under HQ 8AF; this is necessitated by the transfer of FGs to Bombardment Divisions. 2 missions are flown:
Mission 665: 1,090 bombers and 733 fighters are dispatched to hit industrial targets, airfields and railways in W Germany; 9 bombers and 5 fighters are lost:
1. 348 B-17s dispatched hit targets of opportunity at Cologne (248), Brechten (27), Dortmund (14) and Coblenz (11) using GH and H2X; 3 B-17s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 156 damaged; 1airman is KIA and 16 MIA. Escort is provided by 181 of 193 P-51s; 3 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).
2. 360 B-24s are dispatched to hit Lippstadt Airfield (175), Rheine marshalling yard (107) and Paderborn Airfield (28) visually; targets of opportunity hit are Herford marshalling yard (8) and Lipperode Airfield (2); 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 7 damaged. Escort is provided by 260 P-47s and P-51s; they claim 1-0-0 aircraft in the air and 15-0-7 on the ground; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA) and 3 P-47s and 1 P-51 damaged.
3. 382 B-17s are dispatched to hit Munster/Loddenheide Airfield (235) and Munster/Handorf Airfield (68) using PFF means; targets of opportunity hit are the Rheine marshalling yard (10) and other (2); 6 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 190 damaged; 6 airmen are WIA and 55 MIA. Escort is provided by 234 P-47s and P-51s without loss.
Mission 666: 8 of 10 bombers drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): 330+ B-26s and A-20s dispatched against targets in Arnhem, the Netherlands and Aldenhoven and Duren, Germany are recalled; fighters hit pillboxes along the Westwall, support ground forces of the XV Corps in France, fly armed reconnaissance in the Prum, Bonn, Koblenz, Trier and Landau, Germany areas, hit targets along the Rhine-Marne Canal, and during the night of 5/6 Oct fly patrol in Belgium, E France, and W Germany. In Belgium, the 493FS, 48FG, moves from Cambrai/Niergnies, France to St Trond with P-47s. In France, the 22d FS, 36FG, moves from Athis to Juvincourt with P-47s.
Location: 49.468124°, 7.767334°
14Oct44 Thursday
SATURDAY, 14 OCTOBER 1944
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF): 2 missions are flown.
Mission 676: 211bombers and 258 fighters make GH attacks on 2 targets in Germany: 1 fighter is lost: 1. 90 of 94 B-17s hit a marshalling yard at Saarbrucken; 8 B-17s are damaged. Escort is provided by 105 of 107 P-51s; 1 P-51 is damaged beyond repair. 2. 117 of 117 B-24s hit Kaiserslautern; 8 B-24s are damaged. Escort is provided by 148 of 151 P-51 s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).
Mission 677: 1,040 bombers and 491 fighters are dispatched to make PFF attacks on Cologne, Germany; 5 bombers are lost: 1. 434 B-17s are dispatched to hit the Gereon marshalling yard (326); 1 hits a target of opportunity; 2 B-17s are lost and 93 damaged; 3 airmen are WIA and 20 MIA. Escort is provided by 141 of 153 P-51s; 1 P-51 is damaged beyond repair. 2. 318 B-24s are dispatched to hit the Gremberg (127) and Eifelter (121): marshalling yards; 9 others hit Euskirchen; 3 B-24s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 137 damaged; 1airman is KIA, 2 WIA and 20 MIA. Escort is provided by 177 of 184 P-47s and P-51s without loss. 3. 314 of 379 B-17s hit the secondary target, the Gereon marshalling yard; 1other hits a target of opportunity; 2 B-17s are damaged beyond repair and 123 damaged; 1airman is KIA and 3 WIA. Escort is provided by 151 of 154 P-47s and P-51s without loss.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): Bad weather grounds the A-20s and B-26s; fighters escort a leaflet mission, fly sweeps and rail cutting operations, armed reconnaissance over E France and W Germany, and support the US Third Army.
Location: 49.970877°, 8.348923°
19Oct44 Thursday
19 Oct Mainz, Germany 489th BG
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF): 2 missions are flown.
Mission 683: 1,022 bombers and 753 fighters attack targets in Germany using PFF or GH; 6 bombers and 2 fighters are lost:
1. 381 B-24s are dispatched to hit the diesel engine and armored vehicle plant at Gustavsburg (50) and the Mainz marshalling yard (280) the secondary target; 5 B-24s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 148 damaged; 3 airmen are KIA and 49 MIA.
Escort is provided by 195 P-47s and P-51s; 1 P-47 is lost (pilot MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair.
2. 217 of 267 B-17s hit the secondary target, Mannheim; 34 others hit a target of opportunity; 1 B-17 is lost and 97 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA, 1 WIA and 10 MIA. Escort is provided by 286 P-47s and P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).
3. 374 B-17s are dispatched to hit an artillery tractor plant at Mannheim (25); 257 hit the secondary, Mannheim; targets of opportunity are Karlsruhe (32), Kreuznach (10), Rudesheim (9), Bad Kreuznach (8), Steyer (2) and other (21); 182 B-17s are damaged; 2 airmen are KIA and 4 WIA. Escort is provided by 226 P-47s and P-51s; 1 P-51 is damaged beyond repair.
Mission 684: 5 B-17s and 5
B-24s are dispatched to drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): Weather prevents bomber operations; fighters attack a tank concentration E of Luneville, France, strafe targets NW of Kaiserslautern, Germany, fly reconnaissance in W Germany, and provide cover for US Third and Seventh Army forces in E France.
Location: 50.123220°, 8.675766°
25Oct44 Wednesday
25 Oct Munster, Germany 489th BG
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF):
Mission 688: 1,250 bombers and 522 fighters are dispatched to hit oil and industrial targets in W Germany; 2 bombers and 1 fighter are lost; the first three forces use H2X while the 4th and 5th use GH:
1. 455 B-17s are dispatched to hit the Harburg (221) and Rhenania oil refineries (214) at Hamburg; 1other hits a target of opportunity; 1 B-17 is lost and 94 damaged; 9 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 129 of 139 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost and 1 damaged beyond repair.
2. 225B-24s are dispatched to hit Neumunster Airfield (216); targets of opportunity are Munster (3) and Utersum (1); no losses. Escort is provided by 41 of 42 P-51s without loss.
3. 297 B-17s dispatched to hit the primary hit secondaries, Harburg (179): and Rhenania oil refineries (106) at Hamburg; 1other hits a target of opportunity; 1 B-17 is lost and 16 damaged; 1airman is WIA and 9 MIA. Escort is provided by 221 of 255 P-51s without loss.
4. 131 B-17s are dispatched to hit synthetic oil targets at Gelsenkirchen/ Nordstern (27); 100 others hit the secondary, the marshalling yard at Hamm; 49 B-17s are damaged. Escort is provided by 50 of 50 P-47s without loss. 5. 142 B-24s are dispatched to hit synthetic oil targets at Scholven/Buer (91); 34 hit the secondary at Munster and 1 hits Gronua; 39 B-24s are damaged. Escort is provided by 34 of 36 P-47s without loss.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): HQ First Tactical AF (Provisional) is established, but not yet organized, therefore HQ 9AF continues to administer, supply, and control all XII Tactical Air Command and assigned units until mid Nov when the First Tactical AF assumes full control. 9th Bombardment Division's missions are cancelled because of bad weather. Fighters fly sweeps, hit rail and military targets in the Saarbrucken, Germany area, and support the US XIX Corps in W Germany.
Location: 51.554661°, 7.296638°
2Nov44 Thursday
1 Nov Gelsenkirchen, Germany 4 Nov Misburg, Germany 489th BG
ETO - AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command): In France, HQ 440th Troop Carrier Group moves from Le Mans to Orleans; the 302TCS, 441TCG, moves from St Marceau to Dreux with C-47s.
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF): HQ 8AF is ordered to increase the size of the 406BS(H), VIII Fighter Command, the night leaflet squadron, as the liberation of Europe and the conquest of Germany accelerate. 2 missions are flown.
Mission 698: 1,174 bombers and 968 fighters in 5 forces are dispatched to hit synthetic oil installations in C Germany and rail targets at Bielefeld, Germany; an estimated 500 Luftwaffe fighters meet the bombers at Merseburg and the AAF claims 163-40-52 Luftwaffe aircraft; 40 bombers and 16 fighters are lost:
1. 460 B-17s are dispatched to the Leuna oil installation at Merseburg (383) using PFF; targets of opportunity are Halle (23), Wolfenbuttel (13) and other (17); they claim 6-2-2 aircraft; 12 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 339 damaged; 3 airmen are KIA, 13 WIA and 101 MIA. The 9AF provides 31 of 34 P-38s and 433 of 483 P-51s as escort; they claim 46-3-10 aircraft in the air and 25-0-0 on the ground; 8 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).
2. 223 B-17s are dispatched to the Leuna oil installation at Merseburg (210) using PFF; 5 others hit targets of opportunity; they claim 30-33-25 aircraft; 26 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 152 damaged; 11 airmen are WIA and 260 MIA. Escort is provided by 209 of 245 P-51s; they claim 56-2-15 aircraft; 6 P-51s are lost (5 pilots MIA).
3. 208 B-24s are dispatched to hit Bielefeld; 172 hit the primary, a bridge, 10 hit the secondary, the marshalling yard, and 9 hit the town; all attacks are with GH and visual; 17 B-24s are damaged. Escort is provided by 143 of 146 P-47s; 2 P-47s are lost.
4. 131 of 146 B-24s hit the Rauxel oil installations at Castrop using GH; 1 B-24 is lost and 23 damaged; 1airman is KIA, 2 WIA and 10 MIA. Escort is provided by 37 of 40 P-47s without loss. 5. 137 B-17s are dispatched to hit an oil installation at Sterkrade (107); 20 others hit the secondary, the Rheine marshalling yard; 1 B-17s is lost and 52 damaged; 9 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 20 of 20 P-47s without loss.
Mission 699: 3 B-17s and 5 B-24s drop leaflets during the night over the Netherlands and Germany.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): In Germany, 147 bombers of the 9th Bombardment Division, with fighter escort, attack rail bridges at Mayen, Euskirchen, Bullay, Konz-Karthaus, and Trier. Fighters attack bridges, fly armed reconnaissance and night patrol, and provide support for ground forces in frontline areas. In France, the 162TRS, 363Tactical RG, moves from Dijon to Azelot with F-6s and P-51s.
Location: 51.507888°, 7.099228°
4Nov44 Saturday
1 Nov Gelsenkirchen, Germany 4 Nov Misburg, Germany 489th BG
ETO - AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command): In France, HQ 439th Troop Carrier Group and the 93TCS move from Lonray to Chateaudun with C-47s; the 95th, 96th and 97TCSs, 440th TCG, move from Le Mans to Orleans with C-47s; the 99th Troop Carrier Squadron, 441TCG, moves from St Marceau to Dreux with C-47s.
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF): 2 missions are flown.
Mission 700 : 1,160 bombers and 890 fighters are dispatched in 6 forces to make PFF attacks on the oil industry in W Germany; 5 bombers and 2 fighters are lost:
1. 228 B-17s are dispatched to hit the oil plant at Neunkirchen (151); secondary targets hit are the marshalling yards at Saarbrucken (35) and Neunkirchen (13); 5 B-17s are damaged. Escort is provided by 76 of 77 P-47s and 50 9AF P-51s without loss.
2. 210 of 222 B-24s hit the Misburg oil plant at Hannover; 3 B-24s are lost and 93 damaged; 28 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 371 P-47s and P-51s; they claim 0-0-1 aircraft on the ground; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).
3. 257 B-17s are dispatched to hit the Harburg oil plant at Hamburg (238); targets of opportunity are the aviation industry at Nordholz (9) and other (2); 9 B-17s are damaged. Escort is provided by 124 of 139 P-51s; they claim 0-0-1 aircraft on the ground; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair. 4. 186 of 193 B-17s hit the Rhenania oil plant at Hamburg; 2 others hit targets of opportunity; 2 B-17s are lost and 61 damaged; 1airman is WIA and 18 MIA. Escort is provided by 110 P-51s without loss. 5. 91 of 119 B-17s hit the Welhun oil plant at Bottrop; 26 others hit the secondary, the marshalling yard at Hamm; 24 B-17s are damaged. Escort is provided by 37 of 40 P-51s; they claim 0-0-1 aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost. 6. 133 of 141 B-24s hit Gelsenkirchen/Nordstern without loss. Escort is provided by 50 of 54 P-47s.
Mission 701: 3 B-17s and 6
B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): In Germany, 218 B-26s and A-20s hit the Trier ordnance depot, Baumholder, and Eschweiler gun positions; fighters escort the 9th Bombardment Division, attack railroads, bridges, and other targets, and support the US XIX Corps in the Aachen area. In France, the 556th, 557th, 558th and 559BS(M), 387BG(M), move from Chateaudun to Clastres with B-26s.
6Nov44 Monday
6 Nov Sterkrade, Germany 489th BG
ETO - AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command): In France, the 92 and 94th TCSs, 439TCG, move from Lonray to Chateaudun with C-47s; the 306TCS, 442Troop Carrier Group, moves from Peray to St-Andre-de-L'Eure with C-47s.
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF):
Mission 704: 1,131bombers and 802 fighters in 6 forces make PFF attacks on the oil industry in W Germany; 5 bombers and 5 fighters are lost:
1. 291 B-17s are dispatched to hit the Harburg (142) and Rhenania (138) oil refineries at Hamburg; 3 others hit the Lubeck oil refinery at Hamburg; 4 B-17s are lost and 103 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA, 2 WIA and 36 MIA. Escort is 238 of 258 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair.
2. 262 B-17s are dispatched to hit the aviation industry at Neumunster (23); 231 hit the secondary, the Neumunster marshalling yard; 3 others hit targets of opportunity; 10 B-17s are damaged; 1airman is KIA. Escort is 93 of 102 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).
3. 215 B-24s are dispatched to hit the Mittelland Canal at Minden; 2 others hit targets of opportunity; 1 B-24 is lost and 31 damaged; 10 airmen are MIA. 43 of 44 P-47s escort without loss.
4. 101 B-17s are dispatched to hit the Bottrop oil refinery; 12 others hit the secondary, the marshalling yard at Hamm; 39 B-17s are damaged. 257 of 271 P-51s escort without loss.
5. 143 B-24s are dispatched to hit the Sterkrade oil refinery (134); 1 other hit Vreden; 27 B-24s are damaged. 40 of 43 P-51s escort claiming 0-0-1 aircraft; 3 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA). 6. 119 B-17s are dispatched to hit the benzol oil plant at Duisburg (65); 43 hit a target of opportunity, the marshalling yard at Rheydt; 18 B-17s are damaged. 51 of 54 P-47s escort without loss. 30 P-51s of the Scouting Forces patrol the area without loss.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): Weather grounds the 9th BombardmentDivision; fighters, during armed reconnaissance, attack railroads and bridges; the IX Tactical Air Command also supports ground forces in the Schmidt, Germany area.
Location: 49.122646°, 6.180840°
Location: 51.657223°, 8.193054°
9Nov44 Thursday
9 Nov Metz, France 489th BG
ETO - AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command): The 304th Troop Carrier Squadron, 442TCG, moves from Peray to St-Andre-de-L'Eure, France with C-47s.
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF): 2 missions are flown.
Mission 707: 1,309 bombers and 738 fighters are dispatched to hit front line strongpoints and tactical targets in the Metz and Thionville, France areas; 4 bombers and 5 fighters are lost:
1. 460 B-17s are dispatched to hit transportation targets at Thionville (47); 276 hit the secondary, the marshalling yard at Saarbrucken; targets of opportunity are Saarlautern (34) and other (3); 4 B-17s are lost, 4 damaged beyond repair and 96 damaged; 8 airmen are KIA, 6 WIA and 27 MIA. Escort is provided by 187 of 192 P-51s without loss.
2. 437 B-17s are dispatched to hit transportation targets at Metz (345); 41 hit the secondary, the marshalling yard at Saarbrucken; 28 hit Koblenz; 3 B-17s are damaged beyond repair and 13 damaged; 19 airment are KIA. Escort is provided by 176 of 184 P-51s without loss.
3. 402 B-24s are dispatched to hit transportation targets at Metz (385); 15 hit the secondary, the marshalling yard at Saarbrucken; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 5 damaged. Escort is provided by 113 of 119 P-51s; 3 P-51s are damaged beyond repair. 4. 10 of 10 B-17s fly a screening force mission. 5. 139 P-47s and P-51s fly fighter-bomber mission s in the Frankfurt- Lannheim area of Germany; 1 P-47 and 4 P-51s are lost; 4 pilots are MIA. 6. 30 of 32 P-51s fly a scouting forces mission.
Mission 708: 5 B-17s and 12 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night. The 27(Photo)RS, 7(Photo)G (R) (attached to VIII AF Service Command), moves from Mount Farm, England to Denain/Prouvy, France with F-5s.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): 74 planes of the 9th BombardmentDivision attack road junctions, barracks, ordnance arsenals, artillery camps, military storage depot, and other targets in the Dieuze and Faulquemont, France and Landau and Sankt Wendel, Germany areas; the IX Tactical Air Command flies sweeps over W Germany and attacks marshalling yard at Duren, Germany, while the XXIX Tactical Air Command escort attacks Rahling, Germany and an airfield and supports US Third Army elements (2 infantry and 2 armored divisions) as an allout assault on Metz, France is pushed. In France, HQ 358th FG moves from Mourmelon to Toul; the 379FS, 362d FG, moves from Prosnes to Rouvres with P-47s; the 425th Night FS, XIX Tactical Air Command, moves from Prosnes to Etain with P-61s.
9Nov44 489th BG 10Nov last mission for 489th BG
93rd BG---------------------------------------------
Location: 51.859532°, 7.693176°
16Nov44 Thursday
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF):
Mission 715: 1,243 bombers and 282 fighters, along with 9AF and RAF aircraft, are dispatched to attack tactical targets E of Aachen, Germany in support of the US First and Ninth Armies' offensive; 1 fighter is lost:
1. 486 of 495 B-17s hit transportation targets in the Duren area; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 8 damaged; 1airman is WIA. Escort is 151 of 159 P-51s; 1 is damaged beyond repair.
2. 490 of 501 B-17s and 228 of 243 B-24s hit transportation targets in the Eschweiler area; 2 B-17s are damaged beyond repair and 8 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA, 2 WIA and 6 MIA. Escort is 98 of 107 P-51s; 1 is lost (pilot MIA): and 3 damaged beyond repair. 4 of 4 B-17s fly a screening force mission. 16 of 16 P-51s fly a scouting force mission.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): In Germany, 80 9th BombardmentDivision bombers hit defended areas and strongpoints at Echtz, Luchem, and Eschweiler; IX Tactical Air Command fighter-bombers dive-bomb gun positions and other targets in the Stolberg and Hurtgen areas and XIX Tactical Air Command supports the US XX Corps in the Merzig, Trier, and Saarbrucken area; the XXIX Tactical Air Command attacks targets in 12 W German towns; the US First and Ninth Armies begin an eastward thrust (Operation QUEEN) into hit by the IX and XXIX Tactical Air Commands.
Location: 52.017853°, 8.548737°
26Nov44 Sunday
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF): 2 missions are flown.
Mission 725: 1,137 bombers and 732 fighters are dispatched to make attacks on rail viaducts, marshalling yards and oil installations in W Germany; all but 1attack is with radar; about 550 Luftwaffe fighters intercept and 34 bombers and 9 fighters are lost; the AAF claims 133-14-42 aircraft:
1. 406 B-17s are sent to hit an oil refinery at Misburg (243) and a rail viaduct at Altenbekin (118); 19 hit the secondary, the marshalling yard at Osnabruck; 3 others hit a target of opportunity; they claim 4-6-7 aircraft; 10 B-17s are lost, 4 damaged beyond repair and 160 damaged; 4 airmen are KIA, 6 WIA and 93 MIA. Escorting are 292 P-47s and P-51s; they claim 67-2-11 aircraft; 3 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA) and 2 damaged beyond repair.
2. 350 B-24s are sent to hit the Schidesche rail viaduct at Bielefeld (240): and the Misburg oil refinery (57); targets of opportunity are Hannover marshalling yard (26) and other (1); they claim 12-5-4 aircraft; 21 B-24s are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 53 damaged; 15 airmen are KIA, 6 WIA and 196 MIA. Escorting are 208 P-47s and P-1s; they claim 42-0-18 aircraft; 2 P-47s and 3 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).
3. 381 B-17s are sent to hit the marshalling yard at Hamm (266); other marshalling yards hit are at Gutersloh (37), Bielefeld (36), Herford (24): plus 3 hit other targets; 3 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 86 damaged; 1airman is WIA and 27 MIA. Escorting are 132 of 138 P-51s; they claim 3-0-1 aircraft on the ground; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA). 4. 36 of 36 P-51s fly a scouting mission; they claim 5-1-2 aircraft without loss.
Mission 726: 8 B-17s and 6 B-24s drop leaflets on France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): In Germany, 173 B-26s and A-20s bomb supply, storage, stores, and ordnance depots at Gaulsheim, Bergzabern, Giessen, Reichenbach, and Homburg/Saar; fighters fly sweeps and armed reconnaissance over W Germany, search for a lost A-20, escort 9th BombardmentDivision, and support the US 29th Infantry Division at Bourheim and the XX and XII Corps in the area of the Maginot Line and German-French border. The 390th and 391FSs, 366FG, move from Couvron Airfield at Laon, France to Asch, Belgium with P-47s.
Location: 48.466548°, 7.947922°
27Nov44 Monday
ETO - EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (8AF):
Mission 727: 530 bombers and 770 fighters are dispatched to make PFF attacks on marshalling yards in Germany and fighter-bomber strikes on 4 oil centers in N and C Germany; they claim 102-4-12 aircraft; 15 fighters are lost:
1. 148 of 190 B-17s hit the Bingen marshalling yard; 2 others hit targets of opportunity; 46 bombers are damaged; 2 airmen are WIA. Escorting are 91 of 95 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).
2. 181 of 186 B-17s hit the Offenburg marshalling yard; 1 hits Freiburg; 14 B-17s are damaged; 1airman is WIA. Escorting are 105 of 107 P-51s; 2 P-51s are lost (pilot MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair.
3. 144 of 154 B-24s hit the Offenburg marshalling yard; 7 others hit targets of opportunity; 9 B-24s are damaged. Escorting are 45 of 48 P-51s without loss.
4. 460 P-47s and P-51s fly fighter-bomber mission s against oil targets in N and C Germany; about 750 Luftwaffe fighters, the largest sighting to date, attack in the Magdeburg-Munster-Hannover areas when the Germans mistake the fighters for a heavy bomber formation; the AAF claims 98-4-11 aircraft in the air and 4-0-1on the ground; 2 P-47s and 10 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).
ETO - EUROPEAN TACTICAL OPERATIONS (9AF): Weather forbids bomber mission s; fighters patrol over W Germany, dive-bomb a bridge at Rurdorf, and support the US 104th, 8th, and 1Infantry Divisions near Hurtgen and in the Weisweiler-Franz area, and the XIX Corps (mainly the 2Armored Division) at Merzenhausen.
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